Disabled man, 81, left without working shower for two years in Sheffield council flat
“I haven’t been able to have a normal shower for almost two years”
A disabled 81-year-old Sheffield man claims he has had to put a bucket under his shower for two years because of a leak.
Graham Parkin, who lives in council run sheltered accommodation at Roscoe Court in Stannington, said the problem has also caused water to leak into the flat below, where a bed-bound resident lives.
He said the ceiling and hallway in the neighbour’s flat have been damaged by the leak.
Graham regularly visits the bed bound resident below and helps care for her, but said the ongoing leak has made the situation increasingly difficult.
He explained that a plasterer who was due to repair the ceiling in the flat below told the resident there was little point carrying out the work until the leak itself had been fixed.
He added: “I’m constantly hanging on and on, waiting for it to be fixed.
“I haven’t been able to have a normal shower for almost two years.”
The pensioner, who has recently suffered a heart attack and stroke and is now disabled, said the situation was having a serious impact on his quality of life.
He said: “It feels shocking. Sometimes I can smell myself, but it is so hard to get the shower working.”
Graham said he had spent the past six years dealing with health problems and did not need the additional stress of waiting for council repairs to be carried out.
“I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s hard,” he said.
He said he believed he should not have had to wait more than two years for a basic repair to his home.
Graham said: “I shouldn’t have to go through all of this when I just want to have a shower.”
Sheffield City Council has been approached for comment.